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Wendy Miller

Dr Miller is a senior research fellow in the School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering in QUT’s Science and Engineering Faculty (a position held since 2008). As a member of QUT’s Energy and Process Engineering team of researchers, she initiates and conducts industry and government funded socio-technical research in energy efficiency and renewable energy, with a particular focus on the built environment. Current and recent research projects include ARC projects in manufactured housing and sustainable housing; National Climate Change Adaptation research on housing and heatwaves; industry funded research on the impact of cool roof coatings for cooling loads in subtropical and tropical buildings, and post-occupancy performance assessment of subtropical and tropical housing. She is particularly involved in promoting and implementing multidisciplinary research teams that embrace

building simulation and modelling

building science (e.g. the role of advanced glazing and ‘cool roo’f coatings)

post-occupancy performance assessment

supply chain management

the links between urban planning, buildings and the electricity network

Australia’s homes are notoriously “leaky” – allowing the uncontrolled flow of heat into and out of the building. Our answer has been to put in more and more pumps, in the form of air conditioning. This is often promoted as a feature, rather than an indication of a poor-quality building!
This creates problems for everyone.

Global population ageing has significant implications for public policy in areas such as health, housing and economic security. The notion of housing as a public health issue is not new, yet very little research has examined the links between housing specifically built for older people, energy performance and occupant health and economic security.

Heatwaves across much of the country this summer have revealed a serious problem with our national housing stock.
Wendy Miller looks at smarter design and construction, better rating systems and the role of government and industry to overcoming barriers to better housing design.
Read the full article on The Conversation.

Climate change is leading to an increased frequency and severity of heat waves. Spells of several consecutive days of unusually high temperatures have led to increased mortality rates for the more vulnerable in the community. The problem is compounded by the escalating energy costs and increasing peak electrical demand as people become more reliant on air conditioning.

This conference series was initiated in Sendai, Japan in 2000 and has played a significant role in the development of Energy and Environment of Residential Buildings. It is well attended by researchers and academics from Asia, Europe and North America.

Purpose / Context - Many developed countries experience late afternoon or evening electricity peaks. In summer peak demand regions, these peaks are most likely the results of residential air conditioning demand.

Context - Energy efficient housing is influenced by a number of attributes that describe the key players involved in its production. Stakeholders’ levels of interest, motivation, awareness and power to impose their decision can have an impact on housing energy performance. Understand-ing these stakeholder attributes can help resolve barriers to energy efficiency performance.

Context - Minimum thermal performance standards for residential building envelopes have been increasing in many countries for several decades, addressing concerns about occupant comfort, operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions.